A Broken Contract (Alpha's Secret Regret) novel Chapter 78

“I'd like to take you home. I'll get someone to drop off your car later." Avery offered. He looked like he had more to say.

"I can drop her off," Jane offered.

"Then I'll have to arrest you for DUI."

"I'm NOT drunk!"

"You're nearly there -"

"Why?" I cut in. “Why do you want to take me home? Cuz seeing my baby daddy with another woman is so... devastating, I shouldn't be driving?” I asked him feeling irritated and slightly embarrassed.

“You know I don’t mean it like that," Avery replied. The look on his face made me want to apologize for the attitude.

But I didn’t. I was annoyed with everything and everyone for reasons I didn't want to think about. My stomach churned as I glanced through the see-through glass at Nick and his... date. All I wanted was to be far from here as soon as possible.

“I appreciate the offer, Avery, but I’ll rather drive my car by myself. Unlike Jane, I'm nowhere near drunk."

Without waiting for his reply, I left he and Jane standing there and drove straight home.

Why did I feel so hurt? A few hours ago I was thinking about running away. The alpha walked by with another she-wolf and I was upset? Just because he felt bad for kissing Meg didn't mean we could ever be like before. Goddess forbid! I didn't want to be "like before" with him.

I had a boyfriend now. I'd moved on. Maybe it was how he walked past without a single word. That had to be why my stomach felt so sour. It was like college days again when we couldn't address each other in public. Maybe a part of me expected differently because Alex existed now.

I guess I needed that reality check. Nick was going to be mated to another. He’d been engaged for four years, if not longer. He'd been alpha for nearly as long. Which meant there was pressure on him to get hitched. The fact that the she-wolf was in this town meant it was happening soon.

****

The next day was Saturday. The alpha would be picking up his son for the weekend. Since the timing was unclear, we didn't know when to expect him. But I decided I wasn't letting that dictate my day, so I carried on with my usual Saturday routine.

My emotions were a mess. I wish today was not his turn because I especially didn't want to see him. If I could, I would avoid meeting him.

And there was Avery. I'd been rude last night for no reason. I knew I had to call and apologize to him but was too embarrassed for some reason. Maybe I really couldn't handle a proper relationship.

After breakfast and some chores, I sat staring at my phone. My thumb hovered on Avery's number for a moment before I had the courage to hit the dial button.

He picked on the third ring. "Hey."